Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Bart.
Walter Scott to Robert Shortreed, 19 January 1820
“Edinburgh, 19th Jan. 1820,
“My Dear Sir,
“I heartily congratulate you on getting the
appointment for your son William in a
manner so very pleasant to your feelings, and which is, like all Whyt-
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| ABBOTSFORD—FEBRUARY, 1820. | 349 |
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bank does, considerate,
friendly, and generous.* I am not aware that I have any friends at Calcutta,
but if you think letters to Sir John
Malcolm and Lieut.-Colonel
Russell would serve my young friend, he shall have my best
commendations to them.
“It is very odd that almost the same thing has
happened to me; for about a week ago, I was surprised by a letter, saying, that
an unknown friend (who since proves to be Lord
Bathurst, whom I never saw or spoke with) would give my second
son a writer’s situation for India. Charles is two years too young for this appointment; but I do
not think I am at liberty to decline an offer so advantageous, if it can be so
arranged that, by exchange or otherwise, it can be kept open for him. Ever
yours faithfully,
Henry Bathurst, third earl Bathurst (1762-1834)
Tory statesman, the son of the second earl (d. 1794); he was master of the mint (1804),
president of the Board of Trade (1807-12), and secretary of state for war (1812-24).
Robert Burns (1759-1796)
Scottish poet and song collector; author of
Poems, chiefly in the
Scottish Dialect (1786).
Sir John Malcolm (1769-1833)
Indian administrator and diplomat; author of
Political History of
India (1811); his life of Clive was posthumously published in 1836.
Sir James Russell of Ashiestiel (1781-1859)
The son of William Russell; he was born in Madras and was Major General in the Army; he
was Sir Walter Scott's cousin.
Charles Scott (1805-1841)
The younger son of Sir Walter Scott; educated at Oxford, he pursued a career in diplomacy
and died in Tehran.
William Shortreed (1804-1846)
The fifth son of Robert Shortreed, friend of Sir Walter Scott. He was a captain employed
by the East India Company.
